Loyal customers are the backbone of any successful business. They’re your biggest fans, and often your most profitable patrons. The best way to nurture that loyalty? By surprising and delighting them with special touches that show you care. Here’s some of the stats for why it matters:
- 65% of annual revenue for successful businesses comes from repeat customers.
- Just a 5% increase in customer retention can lead to a 25% boost in profits.
- Customers with a strong emotional connection to your brand are 71% more likely to refer others and have a 306% higher lifetime value.
- 14% of top customers actively endorse and defend your brand on social media.
Loyalty Programs Are Changing
Traditional loyalty programs like punch cards and points systems are losing their appeal. The average Canadian household belongs to 29 rewards programs. It’s no wonder that 77% of users say these programs no longer drive their loyalty. They’re everywhere, hard to use, and often feel impersonal.
So why do so many restaurants still invest in outdated loyalty models? Great question—we don’t have a great answer, but we do have a much better solution.
Know Your Customers and Treat Them Like VIPs
Independent restaurants have a unique advantage: a hyper-local, loyal customer base that loves to support local businesses. Think of the regulars in your dining room—the ones you know by name, who get a warm welcome and maybe a little extra treat every time they visit.
But as more of your business shifts to takeout and delivery, it becomes harder to give those customers the same personal touch. They’re just another name on a list of orders from third-party apps. With the Dine Local direct ordering and delivery platform, you can bring back that personal connection, even for online orders.
Every order placed through Dine Local gives you access to valuable customer data. You’ll know how long they’ve been ordering, how frequently they order, their favorite dishes, and their average order size. Your staff, whether new or long-time team members, can instantly recognize loyal customers and create memorable experiences.
Five Ways to Reward Loyal Customers with Dine Local
1. Include a Free Bonus
Noticed that this customer has ordered four times this month? Send them a free appetizer as a thank-you, along with a handwritten note expressing your appreciation. Use their order history to pick something they love—it’s a small gesture that can make a big impact.
2. Offer a Personalized Coupon
Leverage Dine Local’s coupon feature to surprise customers with a discount on their next order. Create unique, one-time-use coupons for your most loyal customers, whether it’s a percentage off, a free item, or a discount on a future purchase. Tuck the coupon code into their current order with a message encouraging them to come back soon.
3. Wish Them Luck with a Lottery Ticket
For an extra special touch, include a lottery scratch ticket with a “good luck” note in a large order or for a customer who hasn’t ordered in a while. It’s a fun, unexpected gesture that could brighten their day—just like the plot twist in the movie It Could Happen To You.
4. Send Branded Merchandise
If your restaurant has popular branded items like T-shirts, keychains, or phone card holders, why not share them with your biggest fans? Including a piece of your brand in a loyal customer’s order turns them into walking ambassadors, spreading your restaurant’s name and style everywhere they go.
5. Create a VIP Experience
Got a special event coming up, like a wine tasting or a ticketed dinner? Invite your most loyal takeout customers to join the party. Offer them a VIP experience where they can enjoy your restaurant in person, connect with your staff, and feel like the royalty they are. It’s a great way to deepen their relationship with your brand.
The Power of Personalized Rewards
With Dine Local’s customer loyalty data, you can craft personalized experiences that go beyond the basic loyalty program. These small surprises make a big impression, creating a sense of connection and driving repeat business. Consider the long-term value of investing in loyalty—these personalized touches turn regular customers into brand advocates. Surprise and delight customers and you’ll reap long term rewards.
Missing Customer Loyalty Data from Your Current Platform?
Many online ordering platforms don’t provide access to detailed customer data, making it tough to build relationships with your regulars. Major delivery apps keep customer information to themselves, leaving you without the tools to recognize and reward your best customers.
If you want to improve your online customer experience and harness the power of personalized loyalty rewards, reach out to us today. The Dine Local direct ordering and delivery platform gives you the data and features you need to treat every takeout and delivery customer like they’re Norm from Cheers. Get in touch, and let’s talk about how we can help you create a memorable, loyalty-driven experience for your customers.